Branded Read online

  Branded

  Clarissa Wild

  Contents

  More Books by Clarissa Wild

  Description

  Music Playlist

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Epilogue

  Epilogue 2

  Excerpt of The Hanged Man

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Check out Father, a filthy preacher romance!

  More Books by Clarissa Wild

  About Clarissa Wild

  BRANDED © 2019 Clarissa Wild

  Cover art by Clarissa Wild’s Booming Covers

  Copy Editing by Editing4Indies

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or person, whether living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All characters in this book are eighteen years of age or older.

  License Notes

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  More Books by Clarissa Wild

  Standalones

  Mr. X

  Twenty-One (21)

  Ultimate Sin

  Viktor

  Father

  Dark Romance

  Delirious Series

  Stalker & Killer (prequel to Stalker)

  Wicked Bride Games & Dirty Wife Games

  Savage Men Series: Caged & Locked & Chased

  New Adult

  Fierce Series

  Blissful Series

  Ruin

  Erotic Romance

  The Billionaire’s Bet Series

  Enflamed Series

  Bad Teacher & Bad Boss

  Visit Clarissa Wild on Amazon for current titles.

  Want to get an email when my next book is released?

  Sign up here and receive four free stories too: http://smarturl.it/newsletterbooks

  Description

  She was supposed to be my forever.

  Instead, I became her worst enemy.

  I fell for the one girl I could never have…

  And it destroyed us both.

  I did a bad, bad thing.

  But she isn’t exactly innocent either.

  When I’m faced with the ultimate choice – Let her die or save her – I grab her and run.

  She calls me a monster. The devil himself.

  No one will take her from me.

  She’s mine to punish.

  Mine to keep… forever.

  Music Playlist

  Listen to the entire Playlist on Youtube.

  “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” by Johnny Cash (Remix)

  “Hurt” by Johnny Cash

  “Electric Pow Wow Drum” by A Tribe Called Red

  “Stadium Pow Wow” by A Tribe Called Red Ft. Black Bear

  “Volcano” by Woodkid

  “Iron” by Woodkid

  “Burn With Me” by Whilk & Misky

  “Tear Me To Pieces” by Meg Myers

  “Jealous Sea” by Meg Myers

  “Arsonist’s Lullabye” by Hozier

  “The House Of The Rising Sun” by The Animals

  “Childhood’s End” by Majical Cloudz

  “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore

  “Hydrogen” by M.O.O.N.

  “Mutant Brain” by Sam Spiegel & Ape Drums ft Assassin

  “Muddy Waters” by LP

  “One Night In The Sun” by LP

  “Broken Bones” by Kaleo

  “I Can’t Go On Without You” by Kaleo

  “Your Body Talks” by The Struts

  “I Don’t Belong To You” by Milck

  “Ghosts Of War” by Think Up Anger

  “We Live Underground” by Lights On

  “Everybody Knows” by Sigrid

  “Not Gonna Break Me” by Jamie N Commons

  “What Have We Done To Each Other?” by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

  “Good For You” by Selena Gomez

  “SILA” by A Tribe Called Red Ft. Tanya Tagaq

  “Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells)” by Bel Canto Choir Vilnius

  “I Did Something Bad” by Shoshana Bean and Cynthia Erivo

  “Freedom” by Pharrell Williams

  Prologue

  Brandon

  I stare up at the blood-painted ceiling of the Stop & Shop. The place I used to call my home. Its wooden floors are stained with soot as the wallpaper and everything in between burned to a crisp.

  What went down here, in this town, never should have happened.

  Immense pain and unrelenting suffering.

  Death might have been quick, but the mark it left on this place—on me—is permanent.

  And it was all because of me.

  My actions. Every misstep. Every obsession and every desire.

  It all led to this moment.

  None of it should have ever happened. Not me, not my fiery rage. None of it … But especially not her.

  Dixie Burrell. The one girl I always wanted but could never have. Not truly. Not fully. Never completely mine even though I tried so fucking hard.

  Damn … I even killed for her.

  And it fucking ruined us both.

  I should’ve never set my eyes on her. Should’ve never let her get close and witness the real me. The dark monster hiding within.

  She should’ve never stepped foot in this shop all those years ago. Should’ve never opened her pretty mouth in front of me and spoken a single word with that sweet, sinful voice of hers.

  Because with her sassy stubbornness, that gorgeous body, and fascinating mind, she left her mark on my heart and tainted my very essence. Blackened my soul until nothing but fire and ash were left.

  And now she’ll be my undoing.

  I sit down on a chair and witness the decimation around me, the beautiful chaos of the smoke filling the air, and the flames licking the windows. I don’t intend to move even an inch.

  I’ve set my memories on fire.

  And with them, I’ll burn too.

  Chapter One

  Brandon

  Age 12

  For a few seconds, I stare at the match between my thumb and index finger as the flame torches the wood to a crisp. Right before it reaches my skin, I chuck it into the grass, lighting it aflame.

  I’ve always loved the cra
ckling fire. The scent of coal and soot. The way the flames destroy everything around it.

  Like me.

  I go to my knees and chew the inside of my cheeks as the fire burns away a patch of grass, leaving nothing in its wake. The blank slate that appears is soothing to the soul, as my folks would say.

  If they were here, they’d probably scold me. I know I’m not supposed to ignite things, but I can’t help it. Whenever I see the glowing sparks, I light up with a smoldering passion. It feels powerful. Like I’m a giant crushing a fly.

  “Whaddya doin’?” an obnoxious voice behind me says, but I ignore it like I always do.

  Better not engage, my papa always says. As if he’s afraid I’m going to start a fight. He’s probably right.

  “Hello?” the voice says again, this time fluctuating in tone.

  I turn my head and stare at the kid … or should I say girl, judging from the long hair and short skirt. And a pretty one too. Not that I’d ever admit that, especially not to her.

  None of the white girls like boys like me.

  Awkward outcasts.

  A skin color unlike theirs.

  Neither of which I can do anything about.

  “Are you gonna burn down the playground?” she jokes, cocking her head.

  Is she really curious, or is she just trying to mess with me like the other kids do?

  “Can you talk?” she asks, raising her brows.

  I frown. Of course, I can. “Yes.”

  I don’t even know why I say something back, but I don’t want her to think I’m mute either. Maybe now she’ll go away. I just wanna be left alone with my obsession.

  Instead of leaving me in peace, she drops to her knees beside me and watches the smoldering grass incessantly. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone else interested in fire.

  “It’s so hot,” she says, holding up her hands as if she’s trying to warm up. “Is that why you do it?”

  “Do what?” I mumble.

  “Burn the grass, silly.” She smiles at me, and it honestly makes me stutter.

  “I … dunno. I just like fire.”

  She frowns, but she doesn’t look scared. Unlike most kids I tell.

  “What’s your name?” she asks.

  “Brandon Locklear.”

  “Nice. I’m Dixie Burrell.” It’s silent for a few seconds again. I have no clue what she wants from me, but she keeps talking anyway. “So how did you do it? How’d you start the fire?”

  “Matches.” I shrug.

  She makes a face. “You’re allowed to use those? My pop won’t let me near them. He’s afraid I’ll destroy things.” She sighs out loud.

  “I stole them.” I almost feel proud to say it.

  She side-eyes me, but then a wicked grin appears on her lips. “Damn …”

  I grin back. Never saw a girl’s eyes sparkle that much when they’re close to me. Most girls think I’m scary.

  Suddenly, she shrieks. “There’s a bug! Look!”

  A beetle crawls through the grass, desperately trying to escape the blaze.

  She bumps her elbow into my side. “You gotta save it!”

  I pick it up and inspect it, checking to make sure it’s okay. It stays on my finger for a while, and we both check it out. Then it suddenly flies off and sits down again on a leaf a few inches away from us, leaving us both perplexed. And smiling.

  I didn’t think I’d ever smile here at school.

  “Hey, Dixie! Why you hangin’ out with that Indian?” an arrogant voice speaks up.

  I turn my head. A blond-haired white boy in overalls along with two other brown-haired boys wearing the same thing stare us down from the middle of the schoolyard. Derek and the twins, Ben and Danny. The popular kids in class … as well as a group of bullies.

  “Noneya business!” Dixie hollers back.

  The blond-haired boy, Derek, isn’t having it as he puts his hands against his side. “Ya know those fuckers can’t be trusted.”

  Fuckers. As if I’m trash to be thrown out. At least I’m not an asshole. And what do they even know about trust?

  Grinding my teeth, I glare at the fire, wishing they were closer so I could throw the ash in their faces. However, right before I open my mouth to spit something back, Dixie gets up on her feet and yells back.

  “Shut your pie hole! Don’t you have any fuckin’ manners?”

  Well, isn’t she a mouthy one?

  The boy scoffs. “Manners? They don’t deserve manners.”

  They. Meaning me?

  He folds his arms. “Those Indians are always looking for trouble.”

  I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. We didn’t do anything wrong. But it’s not the first time he’s accused me of something I didn’t do, and he’s not the first to do it either.

  “Your papa won’t like you talking with him,” Derek adds, glaring at Dixie as if that’s a threat.

  Will he tell her daddy about me? I hope not. I don’t want to get her in trouble.

  “I don’t believe it. My father is friends with some Indians,” she says, putting her hands on her hips. “And I don’t care if he’s mad at me.”

  Well, I’ll be damned.

  I’m amazed as she stands high and mighty, feet planted firmly on the ground. She’s got balls to say that.

  But Derek and his gang aren’t giving up. They march toward us and shove Dixie away. “Why are you protecting him?” Derek snarls.

  “Leave us alone,” she barks back. “He’s my friend.”

  Friend? I have a friend?

  Suddenly, Derek steps forward and crushes the beetle underneath his foot.

  “No!” I yell, and I get up and shove him so hard he falls to the ground.

  Everyone’s surprised by my sudden rage, including Dixie who’s staring at me with her jaw dropped.

  The twins help Derek to his feet, and for a second there, I think he might push me back. But then Dixie steps between us, her arms spread wide.

  “Stop! Both of you,” she yells.

  I’ve never had anyone speak up for me like that.

  “Or what?” Derek taunts.

  “You’re a bully, Derek. No one likes bullies.”

  The fearlessness in her eyes makes me question everything. I thought I had no one. Thought I couldn’t rely on anyone but myself … But now this girl is suddenly at my side, defending me even when she doesn’t know me.

  “You and that Indian can kiss my ass!” Derek says, sticking out his tongue.

  “Go away!” She bends over and scoops up some dirt with her hand, throwing it in their direction. They dodge, so she picks up more and keeps chucking it at them until they run off. And even then, she continues chasing them, picking up dirt along the way.

  Everyone’s gone again, leaving me in peace. But for some reason, it doesn’t feel good to be alone anymore. The relief I normally feel has made place for something else … an emptiness and longing … a longing for a friend like her.

  And for that fire behind me to burn those little shits to ashes.

  Chapter Two

  Brandon

  Age 16

  “Go on then … do it,” Hanson eggs me on as we stand in front of the trash can outside the back of the shop.

  With a smug smile, I chuck a few ounces of oil into the trash can. I nudge him back and lean away too as I say, “Watch this.”

  Then I light a match and throw it in as well.

  A fireball erupts.

  Hanson’s eyes light up like he’s seeing fireworks. “Fuck …” he says in awe. “Nice.”

  It wasn’t a big explosion, but I don’t wanna ruin the building either. My papa owns this Stop & Shop, and he’d be really pissed if I did something to make the place look like shit. But when the show is over, the walls aren’t black, and everything still looks pristine. Except the trash can of course.

  “What are you two doing out here?”

  My eyes widen, and my heart kicks up a beat as I hear my papa’s voice behind me.
r />   “Making a mess again, are you?”

  Fuck. He caught us.

  Hanson ducks away while I close my eyes.

  SLAP.

  The force of his palm against the side of my head always makes me clench my teeth.

  “How many times do I have to tell you not to play with fire?”

  “It’s just a trash can, Papa,” I say as I turn around.

  “Just a trash can …” he repeats, shaking his head. “Can’t believe this. And what’s this then, huh?” He holds up the canister of oil I left on the steps leading up to the door.

  “It’s just oil,” I say, frowning.

  “Just oil?!” he scoffs, trying to slap me again, but I avoid it this time. “Do you know how dangerous this stuff is? And you’re setting it on fire?”

  I sigh. “Papa…”

  “No. No excuses. I’m tired of you playing around with your friend here.” He grabs my arm. “It’s time you two got to work.”

  “I’ve got to go back to the ranch, sir,” Hanson explains, backing away slowly. Coward. “My folks asked me to clean up the shed.”

  “Sure they did,” I say, making a face.

  “I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you, sir,” he adds, scratching the back of his head, ignoring me.

  “Fine, go. But I expect you back tomorrow, four o’clock sharp,” my papa says.

  “Got it!” Hanson says, saluting him. He throws me a quick wink before running away.

  The fucker got off easy.

  I’m stuck with my papa always breathing down my neck, trying to control me.

  “Let’s go,” Papa says, and he drags me back inside by my arm.

  “Why can’t I just have some time off?” I say, shaking him off when we get to the counter.

  “I told you to go eat your lunch. I didn’t say you could burn down the shop,” he shouts.

  “I wasn’t,” I reply, trying to downplay it. “Me and Hanson were just having some fun.”

  “Fun …? Blowing up the trash can is fun?” he shouts. “How many times have I told you not to hang out with that … Hanson boy? He’s nothing but trouble.” He closes his eyes and rubs his forehead, sighing out loud. “What am I going to do with you?”